Illegal reservoir swimmers face hefty new fines under State Government move to open up reservoirs for recreation

The government says opening reservoirs won’t hit water quality but if you’re caught taking a swim they might dip into your bank account.

The State Government has fined 12 people for breaking rules in and around reservoirs this financial year, including one $405 penalty for someone taking an illegal swim.

As the government starts to open the state reservoirs up to the public for activities such as kayaking and bush walking, it has also cracked down on people doing the wrong thing, including swimming, trespassing and unauthorised vehicle access. The maximum fine is $2500.

In 2019-20, before the introduction of fines, 12 people were caught swimming, or suspected of doing so, in reservoirs including Myponga and South Para. That was up from just one person the year before, but the government put the rise down to increased monitoring.

Late last year, SA Water finished UV water treatment upgrades at Myponga, where from this weekend, kayaking will be allowed.

Official opening of South Para Reservoir to the public, Kylie Heath with her daughter Savannah kayaking at the official opening of the South Para Reservoir. Picture: AAP/Mike Burton

The Government has allocated $26.1m for similar works at Happy Valley Reservoir, due to open to the public later this year, as well as site security and safety at seven reservoirs.

More than 150,000 people have visited SA’s reservoirs since they opened to the public.

Opposition Environment and Water spokeswoman Susan Close raised worries about the potential health risks associated with an increase in recorded swimming incidents.

In 2019, amid moves to open the reservoirs for public access, a report commissioned for SA Water raised concerns about a possible outbreak of cryptosporidium.

Cryptosporidium can cause respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses.

Opposition Environment and Water spokeswoman Susan Close is concerned about the potential health impacts of people swimming in reservoirs Picture: AAP/Morgan Sette

The report said the upgrade of treatment plants and installation of UV decontamination technology were needed to ensure public safety.

A Freedom of Information request by Ms Close found that during 2019/20, three incidents at Myponga involved people being suspected of swimming.

Other incidents at Warren and South Para reservoirs included people spotted swimming, playing in the water and wearing underwear and carrying towels.

The Government classes swimming as a “Type 1” water quality incident, which “in the absence of appropriate intervention could cause serious risk to human health”.

“The concern has always been from water quality experts that the more you allow people to get close to the water, the more they’re going to get into the water,” Ms Close said.

Environment and Water Minister David Speirs. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

SA Health said the UV treatment works were required to enable SA Water to meet its obligations under the Safe Drinking Water Act at the same time as allowing “on-water access”.

Environment and Water Minister David Speirs said state-of-the-art water treatment plants meant reservoirs could be opened without compromising water quality.

“This is creating more open, green space encouraging South Australians to get outside and enjoy our natural environment,” he said.

“The rules are clear and if people are caught doing the wrong thing they can be fined up to $2500.”

A Government spokesman said activities like swimming involved prolonged and deliberate contact with the water, which could increase the risk of affecting water quality.

“While post-event reviews and follow-up water quality testing have confirmed incidents have not impacted water quality, swimming is not allowed with an initial education approach and subsequent financial penalties in place to act as a deterrent,” he said.

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